Joint Council Conference

Lusty Beg Island in Fermanagh provided the idyllic setting for members of Health and Social Services Councils to discuss their role in patient and public involvement and to look at what other regions are doing. The English, Welsh and Scottish experiences all provided plenty of food for thought. The Conference also provided a forum to present the findings of an evaluation of HSS Councils which concluded that while Councils do often make a positive difference to the operation of services they might be even more effective if changes were made to the role, resources, structure and name. Priorities for HSS Councils over the next three years and a way forward for responding to the Review of Public Administration have now been agreed.

From left NHSSC Chief Officer, Noel Graham and Chairman Tom Creighton welcome speakers Leslie Forsyth, Director for the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health, Christine Johnstone, Chief Officer, Fife Community Health Council and Peter Johns, Director of the Association of Community Health Councils in Wales.